Basketball return system

ABSTRACT

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Basketball Return System employs a frame and net to catch the ball, whether made or missed, and funnels the ball directly back to the shooter at the free-throw line. The Basketball Return System consists of a frame to be clamped onto the basketball goal&#39;s backboard, and a net which hangs down from the frame and trails out toward the free-throw line. The frame is clamped to the bottom edge of the backboard, and extends downward slightly below the bottom of the backboard, tapering inward from the sides. The frame also extends upward on each side of the basket, with a forward-projecting fin or wall on each side of the hoop, and a shelf-like crosspiece projection above the hoop. From the bottom of the Basketball Return System frame is hung a net, similar in weave to the basketball net, and this net tapers inward from the frame and is laid out in a narrowing drape toward the free-throw line. The Basketball Return System prevents errant free-throw shots from rebounding outward from the goal and returns both made and missed shots to the feet of the player at the free-throw line.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/283,163 filed Nov. 30, 2009, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Basketball Return System.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of basketball nets, and more specifically to the field of basketball return systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for basketball return systems. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,292 to Douglas Metz describes a basketball rebounding system for capturing a basketball which has been shot in the general direction of a basketball hoop, and for subsequently returning the basketball to the shooter, regardless of the successful completion of a basket.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,054 to Matthew G. Suess describes a basketball apparatus used in a seated or reclined position which includes a backboard and hoop assembly, a catch net, a return trough, and a trough support cushion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,049 to James R. Bush describes a basketball shooting practice return apparatus having retrieval net front height adjustable from above.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved basketball return system device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a close-up of the front perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In basketball, most points are earned by getting the ball into the hoop, whether jump-shots, three-pointers, tip-ins, or lay-ups taken on the fast break, in the face of the opposing team's defenders. The sole exception to this is the free-throw, in which the player who has been physically “fouled” by an opposing player takes a position at the free-throw line and is allowed one or two free chances at the basket, for one point per shot. In close games, free-throws are very often the deciding factor. The reason is simple. As the final seconds of the game approach, a foul can stop the clock. By sending an opposing player to the free-throw line, the fouling team not only minimizes the number of points he or she can score, two at the most, but also creates an opportunity of getting the ball back and having another chance to score. Thus, free-throws are crucial to a team's success, and to the individual player's development. As one might expect, basketball players spend a lot of time practicing their free-throws, but here a problem arises.

In professional or college basketball, coaches, team managers, and assistants are on hand to retrieve the rebounds of free-throws and return the ball to the player at the line. In high school and amateur league-play, this is not the case, and the players themselves have to break away from the free-throw line, run after the ball, and return to the line, wasting time and energy, and breaking their concentration, in the process.

The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Basketball Return System employs a frame and net to catch the ball, whether made or missed, and funnel the ball directly back to the shooter at the free-throw line. Manufactured by the Sporting and Athletic Goods industry, Standard Industrial Code 3949, the Basketball Return System consists of a frame to be clamped onto the basketball goal's backboard, and a net which hangs down from the frame and trails out toward the free-throw line. The frame of the Basketball Return System is composed of semi-rigid material such as fiberglass, and manufactured in the same width as a standard basketball backboard. The frame is clamped to the bottom edge of the backboard, and extends downward slightly below the bottom of the backboard, tapering inward from the sides. The frame also extends upward on each side of the basket, with a forward-projecting fin or wall on each side of the hoop, and a shelf-like crosspiece projection above the hoop. From the bottom of the Basketball Return System frame is hung a net, similar in weave to the basketball net, and this net tapers inward from the frame and is laid out in a narrowing drape toward the free-throw line. The Basketball Return System prevents errant free-throw shots from rebounding outward from the goal and returns both made and missed shots to the feet of the player at the free-throw line.

With the Basketball Return System in place, the player can concentrate solely on practicing free-throw shots, not on chasing down and returning the ball. The efficiency offered by the Basketball Return System saves an enormous amount of time and player-effort which is at present wasted. This applies not only to the player at the free-throw line, but to the other players who have to stop what they're working on in order to catch the errant free-throw rebound and return it to the player at the line. The Basketball Return System is automatic. Once in place on the backboard, the System requires no further attention or maintenance. Thus, in the typical high-school or college practice gym which may have six basketball goals, one or more goals is equipped with the Basketball Return System, and thereafter is reserved strictly for free-throw practice. Each player uses the equipped goal for a pre-set practice interval, or returns after organized practice for a longer solitary session. Because the Basketball Return System efficiently contains and returns both made and missed free-throws, the player derives the maximum benefit from practice time. Durable, sturdy, and built for dependable service, the Basketball Return System is used not only in gymnasiums by organized teams, but also in backyards and on playground courts, anywhere the game is played and practiced.

A frame and net attached to a standard basketball backboard in order to return free-throw shots back to the shooter, the Basketball Return System proves a valuable practice and coaching aid in developing players' skills at the free-throw line among basketball programs at all levels, as well as among households with kids and backyard basketball courts.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A mounted basketball return system device, comprising: a frame of semi-rigid material the same width as the basketball backboard and clamped onto the bottom edge of the basketball backboard and wherein said frame extends downward below the bottom of the backboard, and tapers inward from the sides; wherein the frame also extends upward on each side of the basket, with a forward-projecting fin or wall on each side of the hoop, and a shelf-like crosspiece projection above the hoop; further comprising a net to catch the ball, wherein the net tapers inward from the frame and is laid out in a narrowing drape toward the free-throw line.
 2. The basketball return system device of claim 1 wherein the frame is constructed of fiberglass.
 3. The basketball return system device of claim 1 wherein the net is similar in weave to a basketball net. 